0 LIBR OF THE MUSICAL FARGE-TRAGEDY INJURED INNOCENTS En Three Acts. Founded on the old English Ballad of "Babes in the Woods." BY R. A. BARNET. From "English as She is Taught." Copyright, 1890, by R. A. Barnet. For rights to perform, and for copies of acting edition of the play and E. B. STILLINGS & CO., PUBLISHERS, BOSTON: 1890. I have been requested to write an argument for this play. After my late experience in argument with J-m-s G. Bl-i-e, I naturally shrink from an argument unless I can have the last word; but, after a careful reading, I cannot see where there can be any argument about this affair. There may be an excuse, but surely there can be no argument. The plot is without the slightest shadow of consistency; the story is without any idea of moral teaching and the whole tone of its diction is on a lower stratum than I am accustomed to, and worthy only of the London Times or such periodicals. I was informed that there are some good jokes in the lines, but after a very attentive comparison with a standard of a joke as furnished me by the London Punch, I fail to detect the slightest evidence of any humour.* As the piece is written, I understand, by some one in some way connected with the Independent Corps of Cadets, of Boston, and is to be performed under their auspices and for their benefit, it may be that the object is to show what terrible execution they are all capable of, and to increase the Boston public's opinion of their value as engines of destruction. If these are the facts there is some excuse for its production. I am deeply interested to know how the audience is affected, and have requested Sir J-li-n Pa-uc-f-te to cable me the result. WM. E. GL-DST-NE. *(The following cable was received since the above article was written. - Ed.) B-RN-T, BOSTON: Just returned from Barnum's show, can now appreciate your book. Your jokes are American jokes, several given by the clowns. Ha! ha! They are very droll. Her Majesty sends regards and would like a copy of the book. Gl-dst-ne. Collect $4.92. |